Adjustable stop and locking device for shovel loaders



April 8, 1952 R. c. ossooo- 2,592,457

ADJUSTABLE STOP AND LOCKING DEVICE FOR SHOVEL LOADERS Filed Dec. 50, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 1 April 8, 1952 R. c. oseooo 2,592,457

ADJUSTABLE STOP AND LOCKING DEVICE FOR SHOVEL LOADERS Filed Dec. 30, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet2 I I. l l l l Ap 8, 1952 R. c. ossooo 2,592,457

ADJUSTABLE STOP AND LOCKING DEVICE FOR SHOVEL LOADERS Filed Dec. 50, 1944 s Sheets-Shet s H .6. '7 27 g 6 WW ff W 23 Hum" 7 ILIJR Aml (Ztijy.

Patented Apr. 8, 1 952 ADJUSTABLE STOP AND LOCKING DEVICE FOR SHOVEL LOADERS Robert C. Osgood, Claremont, N. H., assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 30, 1944, Serial No. 570,548

7 Claims.

This invention relates to material-loading ap paratus and more particularlyto improvements in a. shovel loader or mucker for moving loose .material into a receptacle such as a mine car.

In a material-loading apparatus of the type known as a shovel loader or mucker. there is usually provided a portable base having swivelly mounted thereon to swing horizontally relative thereto a superstructure which carries a vertically swingable shovel. The portable base usually comprises a wheeled frame adapted to run along a trackway and the superstructure is swingable on its swivel to locate theshovel at either side of the trackway. Insuch apparatus, it is desirable to provide ,stopmeans for variably limiting the range of horizontal swing of thevshovel to suit difierent loading conditions, and such stop means also receives the thrust of the shovel during some of the digging operations. By the provision of such stop means, the range of the lateral swing of the shovel may be varied so that the shovel can load in either Wide or narrow places or places of intermediate widths, as desired. Such stop means must be readily adjustable so that the range of lateral swing of the shovel may be quickly changed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved material-loading apparatus. Another object is to provide an improvedshovel loader or mucker embodying improved means for adjustably varying the lateral digging range of the shovel. Yet another object is to provide an improved shovel loader wherein the shovel is mounted to swing horizontally relative to the base and having improved means for varying the lateral digging range of the shovel so that the loader may operate in either narrow or wide places. A further object is to provide an improved adjustable stop means for a shovel loader so that the lateral range of the shovel ateither side of the trackway may be varied to suit different loading conditions. A still further object is to provide an improved shovel loader of the type embodying a vertically swingable shovel mounted on a portable base to swing from a lowered digging position to a raised "dumping position and having means for varying the horizontal digging position of the shovel with respect to the base so that the shovel may load at different distances at either side of the trackway. Yet another object is to provide an improved adjustable stop means which is not only readily adjustable but which is also simple and rugged in construction. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a shovel loader Or mucker in which an illustrative form of the invention is embodied.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the shovel loader shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken on line l-'! of Fig. 6, showing the stop pin against the inner abutment.

Fig. 8 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view, showing the superstructure in a lateral position, with the stop pin against the outer abutment.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the superstructure in an opposite lateral position with the stop pin against the inner abutment.

Fig. 10 is a detail view showing the inner and outer abutments and the stop pin.

In this illustrative construction the improved adjustable stop means is embodied in a materialloading apparatus of the character known as a shovel loader or mucker which may be similar in characterto that disclosed in my Patent No. 2,201,671, dated May 21, 1940. It will be evident, however, that the invention may be embodied in other types of apparatus.

As-fully disclosed in the patent above referred to, the shovel loader comprises a portable base comprising a truck frame 2 mounted on wheels 3 adapted to travel along a trackway 4. Swiveled at 5 on the base to turn about an upright axis is a superstructure 6 comprising a frame I carrying a vertically swingable shovel mechanism 8. The swivel 5 includes a vertical shaft 9 projecting upwardly from the base frame, and the frame 1 of the superstructure overlies the base frame and is journaled to turn on this shaft so that the shovel mechanism may be located in any desired position of swing within the maximum range of lateral swing at either side of the trackway. The shovel mechanism includes a shovel l0 provided with a rocker mounting, whereby the shovel may be swun in a vertical direction from a lowered digging position, indicated in full lines in Fig. l, to a raised dumping position indicated in dotted lines .in that figure. The superstructure-frame and the truck frame.

structure 6 may be manually swung horizontally about the swivel 5 to locate the shovel at any desired digging position between a centrally located position and the maximum limit of swin at either side of the base in the manner fully described in the above mentioned patent.

Power operated means is provided for swinging the superstructure 6 horizontally on its swivel relative to the base frame to move the shovel as it is swung upwardly from a laterally located digging position into alinement with the base so that when the upwardly moving shovel approaches the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1, its contents will be discharged directly into a receptacle such as a mine car M coupled to the rear end of the loader base. This power operated alining means may be similar to that fully disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 431,409, filed February 18, 1942, now matured into Patent No. 2,365,773, granted December 26, 1944, and includes a pair of alined fluid cylinders H, H extending longitudinally of the base'at one side thereof beneath the superstructure and containing oppositely acting, reciprocable pistons I2 to which are pivotally connected at I3 horizontally swingable links M, the latter in turn pivotally connected to horizontal arms [5. These arms are pivoted at IS on vertical pivot pins secured to the truck frame 2 and are engageable with a roller ll journaled on a vertical pin I8 secured to the frame 1 of the swiveled superstructure. This pin projects through an arcuate slot l9 struck on a radius from the swivel axis 5 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The roller ll moves in the slot as the superstructure is swung horizontally about its swivel, and its engagement with the ends of the slot. limits the maximum lateral swing of the shovel at either side of the base frame. A suitable valve device likewise disclosed in the above mentioned application is provided for controlling the flow of operating fluid to the remote ends of the cylinder ll. Arranged on the truck frame beneath the swiveled superstructure is an upright cylinder 20 containing a reciprocable piston 2| having its piston rod 22 extending upwardly through the top cylinder head. The upper end of the piston rod has a locking pin portion 23 receivable in a locking recess 24 in the frame 1 of the swiveled superstructure. A coil spring 25 urges the piston downwardly towards unlocking position. When operating fluid is supplied to the cylinders II and 20, the superstructure is powerswung to move the shovel from a laterally located position at one side of the base into alinement with the base, and, when the superstructure is so positioned, it is automatically locked to the base frame by the locking pin portion engaged in the recess 24. When the cylinders are vented, the lock is, of course, released. .When the superstructure is in a laterally swung position at one side of the base frame, one of the alining cylinders II is always effective to swing one of the arms l5 to move the roller IT in the arcuate slot so that the shovel may be brought into alinement with the base irrespective of the laterally swung position of the shovel. During transport of the shovel loader along the trackway from one working place to another, the swiveled superstructure 6 may be locked in alinement with the base by a locking pin 26 received in registering openings 21 and 28 in the super- Since this power-operated alining means and the frame-locking means are fully described in the above mentioned Patent No. 2,201,671 and application, further description thereof is herein unnecessary.

Now referring to the improved adjustable stop means for limting the lateral swing of the shovel at positions intermediate the maximum position, determined as above stated by the cooperation of the roller I! with the end of the slot 19, and the central position, it will be noted that formed in the superstructure frame 1 in radial alinement with the locking pin opening 21 is a pair of spaced openings 29 and 30 for receiving the looking pin 26. The curved front portion of the truck frame 2 is arcuately cut away at 3i to provide spaced pairs of inner and outer abutments or steps 32 and 33, the steps of each individual pair being located equi-distantly from the longitudinally vertical center of the base at the opposite sides thereof and the steps 33 being more remotely spaced than the steps 32. Additional abutments or steps and stop pin openings may be provided, if desired, so that the positions of lateral swing may be further graduated. When the locking pin 26 is inserted in the intermediate opening 29, it is engageable with one of the inner abutments 32 to limit the lateral swing of the shovel to enable the latter to operate in v narrow places, and, when the pin is inserted in the outer opening 30, it is engageable with one of the outer. abutments 33 to limit the swing at points between the maximum and the narrow swing. In Figs. 7 and 9, the stop pin 26 is shown in engagement with an inner abutment 32 while, in Figs. 8 and 10, the stop pin is shown in engagement with an outer abutment 33. It is accordingly evident that the lateral swing of the shovel with respect to the base may be controlled to suit working places of different widths. It will be noted that the stop means not only affords means for limiting the range of swing of the shovel, but also provides means for receiving the digging thrust of the shovel during the loading operation.

As a result of this invention, an improved material-loading apparatus is provided which is readily adapted to operate in working places of different width. By the provision of the particular adjustable stop means for the shovel for limiting the lateral swin of the latter, the range of swing may be readily varied. It will further be evident that the improved adjustable stop means not only provides a relatively simple means for varying the range of lateral swing of the shovel, but also affords means for receiving the digging thrust of the shovel during the loading operation. Other uses and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a material-loading apparatus, the combination with a base and a superstructure carrying loading means and swiveled on said base to swing horizontally with respect thereto, of stop means for variably limiting the range of lateral swing of said superstructure in one direction with respect to said base comprising spaced abutments on said base disposed at relatively difierent distances from the longitudinal median line of said base at one side of the latter, spaced openings in said superstructure, and a shiftable stop element insertible in one or another of said openings for selective engagement with said spaced abutments.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a base, a shovel supporting frame swiveled on said base to swing horizontally with respect thereto, and means for variably limiting the range of horizontal swing of said frame in one direction relative to said base and for locking the latter in its alined position with respect to said base including spaced abutments on said base, openings in said frame, and a combined lock and stop pin selectively receivable in said openings, said pin disposable in certain ones of said openings for selective engagement with said abutments and disposable in another of said openings to lock said frame in its alined position.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a base, a shovel supporting frame swiveled on said base to swing laterally with respect thereto, a lock including a pin for locking said frame in its alined position with respect to said base, means for limiting the range of maximum lateral swing of said frame with respect to said base, and additional means for variably limiting the range of swing of said frame between its alined locked position and the maximum lateral position in cluding spaced abutments on said base, spaced openings in said frame, said pin of said lock selectively receivable in said openings to serve as a stop pin, said stop pin disposable in one of said openings for engagement with one of said abutments and disposable in another of said openings for engagement with another abutment.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a base, a shovel supporting frame swiveled on said base to swing horizontally with respect thereto, means for limiting the range of maximum lateral swing of said frame with respect to said base, and additional means for variably limiting the range of swing of said frame between a position in alinement with said base and the maximum lateral position including spaced abutments on said. base, spaced openings in said frame and a shiftable stop pin disposable selectively in said openings, said stop pin disposable in one of r0 said openings for engagement with one of said abutments, and disposable in another of said openings for engagement with another abutment.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a base, a shovel supporting frame swiveled on said base to swing horizontally relative thereto, and means for variably limiting the range of swing of said frame in one direction with respect to said base and for locking said frame in an alined position with respect to said base including spaced fixed abutments on said base, a shiftable stop element, and means for selectively locating said stop element in different predetermined positions on said frame for selective engagement with said abutments, and for locating said stop element in still another position to serve as a lock for locking said frame in its alined position with respect to said base.

6. In a material loading apparatus, the combination with a base and a superstructure carrying loading means and swiveled on said base to swing laterally, of stop means for variably limiting the range of lateral swing of said superstructure in one direction relative to said base comprising relatively fixed spaced abutments on said base disposed at relatively different fixed distances from the longitudinal median line of said base at one side of the latter, a stop element, and means for selectively locating said stop element in different predetermined positions on said superstructure for engagement selectively with said abutments.

'7. In a material-loading apparatus, the combination with a base and a superstructure carrying loading means and swiveled on said base to swing horizontally with respect thereto, of stop means for variably limiting the range of lateral swing of said superstructure in one direction with respect to said base comprising relatively fixed spaced abutments on said base disposed at relatively different distances from the longitudinal median line of said base at one side of the latter, a shiftable stop element, and means on said superstructure for selectively locating said stop element in different predetermined positions with respect to said superstructure for selective engagement with said spaced abutments.

ROBERT C. OSGOOD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 161,294 Stokoe Mar. 23, 1875 379,998 Stanwood et al. Mar. 2'7, 1888 684,332 Wildt Oct. 8, 1901 858,538 Remington July 2, 1907 1,604,878 Carmer Oct. 26, 1926 1,671,090 Farmer May 22, 1928 1,906,001 Finlay et a1 Apr. 25, 1933 1,969,462 Hodgkins Aug. 7, 1984 2,077,159 Stoltz Apr. 13, 1937 2,159,180 Royle May 23, 1939 2,201,671 Osgood May 21, 1940 2,266,651 McClean Dec. 16, 1941 2,282,613 Sheets May 12, 1942 

